Kane County Cougars collect 13 hits in 6-4 win
The Kane County Cougars collected 13 hits in a 6-4 win over the Lake County Captains on Wednesday afternoon at Northwestern Medicine Field.
The Cougars (14-16) put together a two-out rally in the first inning. Eduardo Diaz doubled and came around to score on Renae Martinez's RBI single, putting the Cougars up 1-0. In the third, the Cougars once again strung together hits with two outs. This time, Martinez started the rally with a two-out single. Yoel Yanqui followed with a base knock. The third straight hit, a double by Eudy Ramos, plated Martinez and Yanqui to give the Cougars a 3-0 advantage.
In the top of the fourth, the Captains (14-17) tallied their first runs. Jorma Rodriquez recorded a leadoff single. The next batter, Nolan Jones, homered to left field to cut the Cougars' lead to 3-2.
In the bottom of the fifth, back-to-back doubles by Diaz and Martinez pushed the Cougars ahead by two runs. With one out, Ramos singled to drive in Martinez and made it 5-2 Cougars.
The Cougars added insurance in the bottom of the eighth on a leadoff homer from Yan Sanchez, his first of the year.
In Lake County's last at-bat, they trimmed their deficit to a two-run game. With two outs Tyler Friis drove in a pair of runs with an RBI double. Representing the tying run, Austen Wade struck out to end the game.
In his second start for the Cougars, Jhoan Duran (1-0) earned his first Midwest League win. The right-hander retired the first seven men he faced. Duran finished after five innings, allowing two runs on three hits, striking three and walking none. Out of relief, Matt Peacock hurled three scoreless frames, scattering two hits and striking out three. Jordan Watson pitched the ninth, allowing two runs on four hits.
Captains' starter Juan Hillman (0-5) allowed five of the six Cougars runs, taking the loss. The five runs came on ten hits over five innings of work. Nick Gallagher yielded one run over the final three innings of relief for Lake County.
The Cougars' six-game homestand continues Thursday night with game one of three against Fort Wayne. The Cougars will send righty Jeff Bain (1-1, 2.22) to the mound. The TinCaps will call on left-hander Ben Sheckler (0-0, 5.59). First pitch is scheduled for 6:30 p.m.